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DreamWorks Animation’s ‘How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ Takes Flight Overseas

Series director Dean DeBlois returns with the culminating chapter of one of the most beloved animated franchises in film history, setting opening day records in Australia and New Zealand ahead of the film’s North American release on February 22.

Written and directed by Dean DeBlois and featuring the voices of Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Kit Harington, Craig Ferguson and F. Murray Abraham, ‘How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ arrives in theaters on February 22.

Universal Pictures’ highly-anticipated first release from DreamWorks Animation, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, began its international roll out in Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday to take advantage of the peak summer holiday season, and early results are outstanding.

The film’s debut in Australia, which brought in an estimated 1.5 million from 286 locations, ranks as DreamWorks Animation’s biggest opening day of all time, surpassing Shrek 2, as well as the third-biggest animation opening day of all time, the second-biggest January opening day ever, the biggest opening in the Dragons franchise -- more than four times the opening day of How to Train Your Dragon 2 -- and Universal Pictures’ sixth-biggest opening day of all time. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is ranked number one in the market, ahead of the second Thursday of Aquaman and more than double the opening Thursday of Mary Poppins.

Bringing in an estimated $173,000 from 90 locations, the film’s opening in New Zealand ranks as DreamWorks Animation’s second-biggest opening day of all time behind Shrek 2, the third-biggest animation opening day of all time, the second-biggest January opening day, the biggest opening in the Dragons franchise -- more than three times the opening day of How to Train Your Dragon 2 -- and Universal Pictures’ ninth-biggest opening day of all time

The 36th feature from DreamWorks Animation, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World will release in 48 international markets, including Brazil, Italy, Mexico, the U.K. & Ireland, France and Germany, ahead of its North American release on February 22.

The domestic campaign began in earnest over the Christmas holiday, with spots airing in high-profile NFL games, as well as a How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World-themed Rose Parade float -- the first ever for a Universal film. Additional highlights include the “Kit Harington & Toothless: The Lost Audition Tapes,” which received more than 50 million views in the first 72 hours.

For How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, series director Dean Deblois returns alongside the all-star cast that is led by Jay Baruchel (This Is the End) as Hiccup and American Ferrera (TV’s Superstore) as Astrid. The duo is once again joined by beloved franchise players including two-time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett (Thor: Ragnarok) as Valka, Gerard Butler (London Has Fallen) as Stoick the Vast, Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street) as Snotlout, Kristin Wiig (Bridesmaids) as Ruffnut, Justin Rupple (Zombie Whisperer) as Tuffnut, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Trolls) as Fishlegs, Craig Ferguson (TV’s Hot in Cleveland) as Gobber and Kit Harrington (HBO’s Game of Thrones) as Eret, son of Eret. New to the series is Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham (Amadeus), who portrays Grimmel, the man who threatens to destroy everything the people of Berk and their dragons have ever cherished.

The epic adventure is produced by Brad Lewis (Ratatouille, ANTZ) and Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Toy Story, Tarzan).

Source: NBC Universal

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.